Two pensioners in the county are among the first in the UK to test new technology designed to break down social isolation.

Elderly people in the Folkestone and Hythe district have been selected to pilot the device called KOMP - a digital screen where family members can send elderly relatives videos to keep them connected.

It is the brainchild of Norwegian company No Isolation, which was established in 2015 by three technologists who set out to try to find solutions to reduce loneliness.

The screen is operated with a single on-off button which also controls the volume, similar to an old radio set.

Via an app, an unlimited number of family members and friends can share content and make video calls. They can also set how long any content should stay visible, such as for a day or indefinitely.

The videos and reminders are displayed on a loop on the screen which has high-contrast and large text for better visibility.

One of the new users, 84 year-old Anne from Dymchurch, explained that she used to love family outings, but now has limited mobility.

She says the KOMP has helped her stay in touch with family, including one of her grandsons in South Korea.

The great-grandmother said: "Now my grandchildren are taking their children on outings and I can sit here in comfort and see where they have been."

A resident called Nellie, also in her 80s, has also been testing out the technology at her home in Palmarsh, near Hythe.

The pair were recruited by Age UK's Hythe and Lyminge branch to test out the device, and their feedback will be passed back to No Isolation to improve the KOMP.

The UK pilot is being led by the charity branch and Kent County Council (KCC) Cllr Martin Whybrow (Green).

Cllr Whybrow funded the two devices from his KCC Members Community Grant: "I saw a presentation from No Isolation in London. It looked a really well thought-out use of technology to tackle isolation so I grabbed the chance to become involved."

Hayley Ross, Age UK Hythe and Lyminge’s marketing and fundraising officer, said: "A recent Age UK survey found there are 2111 lonely older people in the Folkestone and Hythe district area.

"Reaching these people and finding ways of reducing the feeling of isolation is one of our key focuses, and this new technology tackles the issue in a new and inventive way."